Memorial Day Reflections

Hello, Blog, how are you doing? It's time to write those things that are near and dear to me. Memorial Day, a nice Holiday, the first Summer weekend, the Indianapolis 500, Soldier Field 10 Mile, and a time to reflect. The weekend started with a 10 mile race that I 'cancelled due to injury' but attended to support my fellow Glen Ellyn Runners. It was fun taking pictures and seeing how we really make an effort to recognize those Fallen Heroes. The weather was cool and the rain failed to materialize, so our post-race tailgate party was a success. Many of my training partners raced and it was good to see them finish on Soldier Field, the home of the Bears. Me, well I'm working up the courage to schedule surgery to fix a very discomforting hernia suffered while driving a car. Sometimes I remind myself, I must be getting old. I sneezed a little too hard and I busted a gut...a really bad break for me.

On another subject, my crazy Mercedes Benz addiction struck again. I have to find either a 12 step program or a 12 car garage. I shook hands on a 1994 MB station wagon that has, I think, been lovingly taken care of by an avid Wilmette sailor and Democrat. Interestingly, he didn't really know the value of his auto so I paid him 10% more than he asked. Now, I say, who's the crazy one here? Yes, I think I found a nice functional wagon to replace the Range Rover some day. Will that happen? Probably not in the near future. So what this means is I own five cars and I have a one car garage! Now this could be a challenge.

The graduation party circuit has started. Attended one Saturday evening and witnessed why I'm not a big social drinker. In two hours, I watched three grown adults become talking 'windbags' as the alcohol took effect. It was good to see the kids together one more time. Patrick is lucky he's got a cadre of good young men to hang with. If they are doing the risky behavior stuff that most do, then they really hide it well. I'm glad he's has two other classmates attending Loras. Frankly, though, my fear is both buddies are little more aggressive when it comes to barley and hops kind-of-things.

Monday's Memorial Day Service at Lake Ellyn emphasized why I love this town so much. I could not believe how well attended the event was. And, besides the 60-80 year-olds who really know what is meant by 'Freedom is not Free', there were many young mom and dads with children trying to teach the right values. We must never confuse the Wars with the Warriors. I hate what is on-going in Iraq and Afghanistan but I know it must be done or the battlefield will again come to us like 9/11/2001.

And, finally, I must share something with you that actually I will never forget. After the festivities, I crossed paths with a man from the south side of town. He and I shared comments about sports and he learned that Patrick was my son. At this point he went above and beyond to share with me how highly he thinks of my son. I could not hide my pleasure with some of the comments he made. I come to find out he's a friend of Bob Hildebrand Jr. and was on the 1973 Hilltopper team. Needless to say, Patrick has left many with a positive impression and for this I am thankful.
The Lord's Blessings are everywhere. Grace is here, just listen and watch for it.
One great quote I will always remember is 'The Morning's breeze has secrets in it, do not go back to sleep.' Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.

Time to close. Another Rambling shared. Peace. Ricky

Mother May I

Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby, and Spring, all benefits of May. But the most wonderful weekend of all is Mother's Day. It makes me appreciate all the Moms of the world, all the natural, never-ending love found in mother-child dynamics. I am blessed to have a Mother who is beautiful, strong, determined, funny, and loving. Unfortunately, she is also very sick. Her condition is day-to-day, she's so confused during the early evening that she is almost in a state of panic sometimes. Cancer and Alzheimer's disease, a real double whammy. But, she's a fighter and she doesn't give up easily, God Bless Her.
May, a wonderful time of the year. Things are deep green, the blossoms are out in full force, and the nights are warm enough to sleep with the windows open. I'm in a minor holding pattern with regards to my running. I am fighting both achilles tendonitis and, hopefully not, a minor hernia. Rest has helped, but I am probably going to scratch my Soldier Field 10 mile race at the end of the month. I must get engaged with some activity soon. I find myself so mentally fatigued that I take both morning and afternoon naps. Now is that an escape or what? I must start focusing on the future and deciding what's right for me.
Last night I took a major step by meeting with a local basketball coach and volunteering as much time as necessary to help him with his program. I was creative in how I presented the idea. I was able to articulate how I am the only individual in Glen Ellyn who has been part of the two best basketball teams in the high school's history. When I think about it, I smile. I am Blessed. What goes around comes around. The gifts from the heart in 1999 came back in spades in the tournament run of 2007. The Lord's hand played a big part in that coincidence.

Patrick and Lauren continue on their seperate tracks. I am so proud of my daughter picking up a good summer job, especially if she endures the retail hours and demands of dealing with the public. She will grow from the experience. On the other side, I am getting so frustrated with Patrick. Almost 19 years old and he has NO work experience to put on a resume. Half-hearted attempts and no follow-through resulting in no jobs so far. Just wait until school is over, the walking ATM is running out of cash and cars don't run on Gatorade.

Remember, Amazing Grace. I was lost, but now I am found. God Bless. Out, Ricky